THE PROMISE AND PITFALLS OF mLEARNING
A recent article in the International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning sheds light on the emerging field of mobile learning – also known as mLearning. “Use of Mobile Phones to Improve Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Evidence from Asia” finds that while mobile phones can increase access to education, there is less evidence of mobiles promoting new learning. By exploring the results of six mLearning projects in Asia, the article covers current practices on mLearning, challenges and the need for further research.
www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/794/1487
IMPROVING SERVICE QUALITY IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
As a relatively new and rapidly developing area of business, information technology (IT) lacks the certification and systemic training of more established fields such as accounting and human resources. Organisations around the world are turning to the Information and Technology Infrastructure Library™ (ITIL) to enhance the quality of IT service.
ITIL offers a systematic approach to the delivery of quality IT services. Developed in the 1980s and 1990s by Government of the United Kingdom, ITIL provides a best practice-based framework for IT management and a shared philosophy for the people who work with it.
The ITIL Qualifications Scheme involves four levels: Foundation, Intermediate, ITIL Expert and ITIL Master. Individuals gain credits for each exam they pass and can progress from one level to the next.
www.itil-officialsite.com
OFFLINE ACCESS TO DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Educational institutions with connectivity challenges can access a wide range of educational resources through eGranary. Also known as “Internet in a Box”, the eGranary Digital Library provides more than 14 million digital educational resources to institutions lacking adequate Internet access.
While previous editions of the eGranary only allowed users to view pre-installed information, the new eGranary has a Community Information Platform that enables users to upload an unlimited amount of locally created resources to their eGranaries. By adding and editing local content, users can ensure educational resources are relevant and appropriate for their learners. The Community Information Platform also provides communities with access to sources of information such as community directories, course websites and social networking sites. The current eGranary, provided on an external USB drive, costs US $1,500.
www.widernet.org
ODL BLOG WATCH
Online blogs offer a wealth of information and opinion in almost every field. Here are a few blogs related to open and distance learning (ODL) that provide interesting and informative reading:
http://blogs.worldbank.org/edutech
http://blogs.worldbank.org
http://mfeldstein.com
www.elearnspace.org/blog
http://blogs.ubc.ca/brian
http://elearningtech.blogspot.com
http://opencontent.org/blog
http://halfanhour.blogspot.com
http://nogoodreason.typepad.co.uk
http://efareport.wordpress.com
www.tonybates.ca/category/blogs/tonys-blog
www.col.org/blog (COL’s new blog)